Home (Jim Hopper)

Chapter 12

Amelia, her father and Jim sat silently in the morgue. They didn't speak, but waited for Joyce and Jonathon; the air was thick with their unspoken thoughts. The odd 'morning' was said and 'what would you like to eat?' but that was all. The two men didn't realise the pain Amelia was putting herself through. Secretly and silently she put the blame of Will Byers death on herself. She got preoccupied with a dumb conspiracy and she couldn't forget about what she did. As a teacher she was meant to protect the kids she taught. Will was one of her students, possibly one of her favourites and not only that but she saw him as family. A little nephew she never had before. Her and Joyce joked about it, especially when they were younger.

Amelia was an only child. She would never have a niece or a nephew. But Joyce saw her as a sister; she always promised that if she had children they would call her Auntie Amelia. But Will and Jonathan never got the chance. She wasn't there when they were born. And now Will had been taken from them. Amelia bit down on her bottom lip, trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall again; she was sure she had cried her eyes dry.

Jim grasped his hat in one hand, and held Amelia's hand tight in the other. He felt her grip loosen, and Jim squeezed it tight, offering reassurance.

As strong has he appeared, Jim was hiding his own pain. His heart ached, and he thought of his daughter. But he pushed it down knowing he needed to be strong - for Amelia and Joyce.

Not long later did Joyce and Jonathon join the others in the morgue. Amelia jumped to her feet, grabbing Joyce and pulling her close in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Joyce," She tried, words failing her.

Joyce squeezed her tighter. "I know. It's going to be okay."

Joyce pulled Amelia to arms length, finding her eyes. Her breathing was surprisingly steady. Amelia's face was wet with tears, her heart starting to slow to a normal pace. Joyce was calm; Amelia was sure she should have been a rambling mess right now.

"He's in there." Jim's voice was calm and low as he spoke to Joyce; professional. But Amelia could make out the edge, the crack of emotion he was hiding.

Joyce slipped into the room; she was going to see her son. Amelia desperately wanted to go with her, to hold her hand, but she needed to get to work. Jim told her to take some time off, but Amelia refused. She couldn't abandon the kids, however she was feeling. Her priority was making sure they were okay. Jim gave in, thinking back to how stubborn she was growing up. Jim wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

"Do you want me to come over again tonight?" Jim's voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke into her hair. She found his voice soothing; Jim pressed a light kiss to her forehead. She felt immediately comforted.

She nodded, her face pressed into his chest. She could feel his hand gently rubbing her back. Her father stood, his hand found her shoulder and Amelia knew it was time to go.

She followed him to their car. Amelia began to buckle her seat belt when her father started.

"Amelia," His tone was serious, "I need to tell you something."

"Okay," she answered distantly.

"The boys - Will's friends... I saw them at the lake yesterday."

She took a moment to process his words. "...so they know Will's dead." It started to sink in. "Fuck."

They had seen him. They had seen his body. The was about the last thing that Amelia wanted to happen. She had seen him, and it haunted her thoughts whenever she closed her eyes. For them to see him - their best friend, it would scar them. She was annoyed by this.